Patna, Sep 14 — A day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) would be implemented in all BJP-ruled states before 2029, NDA constituent LJP-Ram Vilas President and Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Monday called for wider consultations before any decision on the measure is taken.
Paswan, in a post on his official X handle, said India's social fabric is diverse, with different communities having their own customs, traditions, and practices.
He noted that the Constitution itself recognises this diversity through provisions including the Fifth and Sixth Schedules and Articles 371A and 371G, as well as exemptions provided to Scheduled Tribes under various laws.
"Our party, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), is committed to both equality and diversity," Paswan said.
The draft of the proposed UCC should first be made public and its implications for all stakeholders assessed, he said, calling for extensive consultations and discussions before the party takes a final position.
"Let the draft be made public, let there be an assessment of the interests of all stakeholders, let there be extensive discussions—thereafter, after review, the party will state its position," he said.
Paswan's remarks come amid growing differences among NDA constituents over the proposed implementation of the UCC.
While the BJP has strongly backed Shah's announcement, some alliance partners have called for further discussion before taking a position.
Meanwhile, Jharkhand Minister Sanjay Prasad Yadav adopted a cautious approach when asked about the UCC.
“Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also spoken about this, and the Jharkhand government is keeping a close watch on all aspects of the matter. In politics, there should be no need to rush to conclusions. We will carefully examine every aspect before taking any further decision,” Yadav said while addressing reporters at Patna airport.
The statements come a day after Shah said the UCC would be implemented in the 21 states governed by the BJP-led NDA before 2029, putting the issue at the centre of a fresh political debate among NDA partners.